Valerius Balbinus Maximus was a member of the third century gens Valeria which by now had reached Patrician status.
[2] He was probably the son of Lucius Valerius Claudius Acilius Priscillianus Maximus, and like his father, he began his career by serving as one of the sevir equitum Romanorum at the annual review of the equites.
[3] Valerius Balbinus Maximus was then appointed as legatus proconsulis in the province of Asia.
[4] Sometime between 254 and 260, Valerius Balbinus Maximus served as the curator rei publicae Laurentium Lavinatium item cognoscens ad sacras appellationes (curator for the public matters of two Italian towns and deputy judge).
He served as curator aquarum et miniciae (official in charge of the distribution of water and grain in Rome), followed by his acting as praefectus alimentorum viae Flaminiae (or officer responsible for maintaining the Via Flaminia and ensuring the provision of food to Rome).